General
First Bank Supports APRA Rwanda 2019
There are strong indications that the 2019 edition of the annual conference organised by the African Public Relations Association (APRA) will get bigger and better.
This is because First Bank of Nigeria Limited (First Bank) is partnering with the organisation for the 31st edition of the programme tagged ‘APRA Rwanda 2019’.
APRA Rwanda 2019 is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from May 13-17, 2019 at the Serena Hotel and as part of its commitment to to foster Africa’s growth and development, First Bank is throwing its weight behind the conference.
According to the organisers, the keynote address will be delivered the President of Rwanda, Mr Paul Kagame, while the immediate past President of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama, will chair the opening ceremony amongst other dignitaries which include: the Deputy Chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC), Ambassador Kwesi Quartey and Media mogul, CEO & Publisher of Ovation Magazine International, Chief Dele Momodu.
As part of First Bank’s drive for national development, especially professional capacity building, the bank which is commemorating its 125 years of impact woven into the fabric of society, has announced its partnership on the 2019 APRA Rwanda Conference.
This partnership is one of the bank’s initiatives to promote professional development as it recognises the role of APRA in setting standards of public relations practice in Africa and beyond.
According to Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at First Bank, the partnership with the African Public Relations Association would positively project the world’s perception of Africa.
In response to this partnership, President of APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, commended First Bank for the partnership and congratulated the bank on the celebration of its 125th anniversary.
He added that going by the theme of the conference – ‘Africa and Storytelling: Changing the Narrative’, “there is no better platform for a heritage brand such as First Bank to tell its brand story than in the gathering of public relations practitioners across the region.
“No doubt, First Bank shares our goal in portraying a positive Africa through its consistent relationship that focuses on exemplary leadership which is very crucial to the growth and development of our continent,” he said.
Mr Badejo-Okusanya charged stakeholders to join APRA to continue her longstanding quest to change Africa’s narrative by further defining strategies for driving such change.
Parading an enviable array of speakers and facilitators, the APRA Secretary-General, Jane Gitau said the 31st edition will feature the 3rd SABRE Awards Africa and Innovation Summit which is holding outside South Africa for the first time.
Both events are in partnership with the renowned Holmes Report.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Rwanda and its transformation as one of the fast developing countries in Africa.
APRA Rwanda 2019 is endorsed by the International Public Relation Association (IPRA), International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), African Union Commission (AUC), Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), Public Relations Association of Rwanda (PRAR) and National Associations across Africa.
APRA Rwanda 2019 promises to be uniquely different offering a perfect blend of business and pleasure as a spouse package is introduced for delegates who want their spouse to visit Rwanda as well, the organisers have assured.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two Chinese, Mr Zhang Hong Lin and Mr Gao Pei Hai, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining of solid minerals.
They were both found guilty on all five counts levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced each to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mineral resources recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
“That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the charges read.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, with the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court.
After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges.
